Need help please! I feel like something is terribly wrong...
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Anonymous
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I have 2 kids and work FT. My kids are 3 and 6. I have had some health concerns regarding 1 of my kids recently and other life stresses but out of nowhere I have been taken over by extreme anxiety. I went to bed last night and had trouble sleeping and think I had some sort of panic attack because I woke up with my heart beating so fast I felt like it wasn't real. My husband has terrible allergies and had finally fallen asleep so I didn't want to wake him up but I found a xanax from when my child was diagnosed with her health issue and took it and had to go sleep on the couch.
I feel like I am losing it but this is REAL. I did a bit of Google but scared myself. Help please. Has anyone had anything similar? I am having trouble parenting and am worried about looking like I am losing it at work... |
Anonymous
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It could have been a panic attack. Don't worry about it - just have an easy morning and call your doctor when his/her office opens and make an appointment just to check you. Tell him/her how you've been feeling. He/she may write you a prescription and/or refer you to a good therapist to talk things through. Believe me, a good therapist can help you work out any problem you're having.
Right now, just don't worry about anything - you're fine. |
Anonymous
This. Seek out help. You're going to be okay. |
Anonymous
| Thank you PPs. I feel like I am dying. I will see my doc today. Maybe hormones are playing a part here? I just finished my period. |
Anonymous
| Sounds like stress. When this happens to me, I get up and write a list of things I'm worried about and what I need to do about each of them - like next steps. Having a plan usually helps me get back to sleep. |
Anonymous
| Thanks again. I know this is an anonymous forum but I feel like I am dying and your responses make me feel like I can get through this :-/ |
Anonymous
| When I start to feel like I am loosing it, I let go of everything until I can handle. Like now, tje dishes haven't been done since Friday. I will get around to them today, but I stopped puting pressure on myself. If my husband was bothered by them, he would do them. |
Anonymous
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OP, I had a panic attack once and it was overwhelming, physically and emotionally, just like you are describing. First of all, please know that panic attacks are a way the body copes with extreme stress. They won't hurt you, you can get through it.
When I had one, I called a friend who has chronic anxiety and (well, I think just talking to her helped a lot), but also she suggested doing some very familiar comfort things. Forget trying to sleep and thinking about how tired you'll be tomorrow, just watch Gilmore Girls on Netflix. Have a go-to comfort show if this happens again. For me, I was in the hospital at the time, also not sleeping, and I did have to call my husband to come in in the middle of the night, which was complicated because we have kids. But his presence had an instant calming effect on me. Think of whatever will calm you and seek it out. But as for preventing this: Please ask for help. It is the best thing you can do and doctors can help you in this situation. |
Anonymous
| OP, you did a good thing by reaching out here for support. I agree it sounds like a panic attack which can be just terrible. Have you ever tried any guided meditation? You can download them for iPad etc. and I have used them before at times when I otherwise simply could not calm down. Hugs OP. You can get through this. |
Anonymous
Yes, that's a panic attack. They're shitty as all get out, but if you have another one today (and when I first got them, they arrived in a cluster) just keep breathing and remind yourself you are not dying. You are not dying. See your GP if you need a referral to a psychiatrist, and the regular doc will make sure you are fine (which you are). Keep breathing! Oxygen deprivation makes it so much worse. |
Anonymous
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Husband had these and it was terrifying. He felt like he was having a heart attack. Great news is that with a combination of medicine and behavioral therapy (and this is really key, I think), he's been panic attack free for several years.
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Anonymous
| Please let us know how you're doing throughout the day, as time permits. Fulltime job plus two little ones sounds like a very full plate. Hugs. |
Anonymous
| Avoid caffeine after noon. Some cold medicines and asthmainhalers can cause nnet ousness or heart racing so check any meds u are taking. Do deep belly breathing. Four counts in thru nose. Hold for four. Out thru mouth for four. Pause for four. Make sure belly expands on in breath. IG helps me to tell myself all things come and go. All problems emotions sensations pass. Mindfulness is very good for anxiety. All the best. |
Anonymous
| Yes, please check any meds you are taking. Certain meds can cause tachycardia, including Benadryl, the active ingredient in most OTC sleep aids. There are also certain illnesses that can cause it like hyperthyroidism and vitamin B 12 deficiency. I suggest you see your PCP. Chances are he'll want to test for these anyway. Make sure the right tests are done. B12: B12, MMA, HCY and folate. Thyroid: TSH, free T3 and free T4. |
Anonymous
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I'm at work and have cried twice already but luckily in good friend's offices. I have an appt at 2:30 to see if my GP will check my thyroid levels and hormones. I just finished my "cycle" (how old do I sound!) and maybe my hormones are a mess... I really really want her to contact me and say "dear g-d your thyroid is messed up" etc. I need there to be a physical reason for this b/c otherwise I think I am losing it...
Thank you for the virtual support. It honestly is helping me more than you all may realize. |